The most important benefit of belonging to any union is the voice that you gain in the collective bargaining process. Only the union member has a vote in determining the terms and conditions of employment that affect all. Your contract spells out the advances that have been won for teachers in the areas of salary, working conditions, longevity, leaves, grievances, health benefits and more.

One of the most important protections offered to members is the counsel that is provided in grievance and arbitration situations. Without a union, enforcing teacher rights could cost an individual thousands of dollars.

Many valuable discounts are available to Members at a tremendous savings, such as: major appliances, stereo equipment, most major brand appliances, televisions, dryers, washing machines, video and audio equipment, etc.

Cohen’s Fashion Optical offers a plan to our members and their families under their C.A.R.E. Program (Corporate Attention to Responsible Eyecare). You will receive a 10% discount on comprehensive eye exams and contact lens exams, 30% savings on all prescription eyeglasses and sunglasses, 20% savings on all non-prescription sunglasses, 20% savings on contact lenses in NY State and at participating locations in all other states, and 25% savings on laser vision correction at Insight Laser Centers. They have stores located in Manhattan, Bronx, Queens, Brooklyn, Staten Island, Upper Counties, New Jersey and Connecticut.

Union Plus Health Savings offers a great financial cure for members looking to save money on health care costs. Union members and their families in the same household can reduce out-of-pocket expenses for a variety of health care services as soon as they join. There are three packages available that can save you money on physician and hospital care, labs, x-rays, MRIs, dental care, retail and mail order prescriptions, vision care, foot and ankle care, hearing care and diabetic supplies. It also offers a Nurse Helpline.

General Vision Services offers three packages to our members and their families through OPEIU, Local 153. These packages can save you money on eye exams, eyeglasses and contact lenses.

Metrodent Premier Dental Access Plan offers our members, their spouses and their children up to age 19 a discounted plan. There is no fee for you to belong to this program. The dentists participating in this program have agreed to charge you discounted rates. There are participating dentists and specialists in Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan, Staten Island, the Upper Counties, New Jersey and Connecticut.

Dental Save (formerly Northeast–Southeast Dental Plan) offers a discounted plan to our members, their spouses and their families. Dental Save is a network of private practice dentists and specialists who provide their services for plan members at reduced rates. It is not traditional dental insurance. It is a fair and cooperative method for lowering the cost of dental treatment. Doctors benefit by increasing their patient volume and, of course, patients benefit by receiving quality private care at substantial savings. Simply enroll into an individual dental plan or a couple or family dental plan. Then select the dentist of your choice using the Directory of Dentists. Once they receive your Enrollment Application, they will mail you an identification card to be presented to the dentist's office at the time of your appointment. When visiting a participating Plan dentist, you pay them directly as you normally would, but at the reduced rates as listed in the Plan Fee Schedule. Saving up to 50% off the dentist's normal fees.

You will pay a yearly fee to belong to this plan ($70.00 for a single person, $130.00 for a couple and $150.00 for a family).

Union Plus Health Savings (see description of plan in the Vision section of this letter)

UPP Plaza Furniture offers discounts to our members. They have a large furniture showroom for union members only featuring all nationally known brands at close to wholesale prices. If you know the name and model of a specific piece of furniture, you can call them for prices. You will need a card to visit their showroom.